Taekwondo is a martial art that came to us from Korea. Its peculiarity is not to use weapons in a fight with an opponent, as well as legs are mostly used in the fight. This martial art implies that the body itself is a weapon, and the master of this martial art can easily defeat the opponent. Taekwondo is an Olympic sport, and both males and females can practice it. Taekwondo requires special equipment.
The martial arts in Korea originated over 2000 years ago. There was more than one school in Korea, each school had its own style and characteristics. With each new generation, there were changes in style, any changes were made to the rules or tactics of fighting. But at the beginning of the 20th century, Korea came under Japanese rule. During this period, the development of Korean martial arts had to be stopped. The masters left, and the development of martial arts was allowed only under the control of the Japanese and the technique of Japanese martial arts was allowed.
After the end of World War II and the liberation of Korea, the revival of forgotten martial arts began. Many elements have been lost, but the general base has been preserved. Thus, in the early 50s, there were several directions that were somewhat similar. At the same time, the idea of uniting schools and creating a single martial art arose. In 1955, General Choi Hong Hee brought this idea to life. The new martial arts was called taekwondo and embodied the elements of existing martial arts. 11 years later, the International Federation was formed, and in 1973 the World Taekwondo Federation was founded.
Anyone can take part in the competition, regardless of gender. Opponents are divided into groups depending on age, weight category and gender. The fight is held on a 10 * 10 meter area. In this case, the floor of the site is covered with special elastic mats.
The fight consists of three rounds. For the adult group, each round is two minutes long and there is a break of 30 seconds between each round. For children under 14, the rounds are three minutes long, with a one-minute break between each round.
If there was a perfect correct blow to the opponent's body, then one point is awarded for this, and three points are given for a correct blow to the head. Strikes can be delivered in areas covered by equipment, but should not be hit in the spine. A kick can also be made to the front of the head. Penalty points will be awarded for incorrect strikes, if four penalty points are scored, the athlete is disqualified.
Each type of martial arts has its own form, and taekwondo is no exception. This type of martial art has a special suit, shoes and equipment for protection.Let's take a look at the distinctive features of this form.
First of all, let's take apart the kimono. In taekwondo, kimono is called dobok. The material of manufacture should be dense and light. Since the fighter makes a lot of movements with his legs, the dobok should not restrict movement. The dobok includes a one-piece jacket that has a V-neck, pants and a belt. Jackets differ in the color of the collar, for children it is black and red, for adults it is black. The belts have different colors depending on the achievements in the given sport.
Now let's look at the protective elements. For safety, a helmet, forearm protectors, vest, gloves, leg protectors, mouth guards and feet are used.
The helmet is usually made of polyurethane, this material has a long service life, and also perfectly absorbs inertia from impact. The helmet should fit snugly to the head, not be mobile, but at the same time should not exert pressure and create discomfort. Children's helmets may have an additional face shield. A special vest is used to protect the body. It should fit snugly to the body without creating discomfort. There are also denser versions of vests for practicing strikes, this option provides maximum protection. Gloves and hand guards are used to avoid injury during the fight. Gloves are made from knitted fabric and leather. The safety of the shin, the soles of the toes is provided to the athlete by feet and shin guards. Feet is a sock made of elastic material that has protective inserts. A mouthguard is used to protect the oral cavity and soften the blow to the head. It is worth choosing a model that will not create discomfort and will not make breathing difficult. In addition, groin protection is needed, which will save you from accidental blows. This part of the equipment is divided into women and men.
During training, the use of any color of equipment is allowed. And to participate in competitions, certain requirements are set for color and for certain elements of protection, and the dobok must have a special patch.
This model of sportswear is suitable for both training and competition. Daedo Poom WTF Style is 35% cotton and 65% polyester. Such a fabric composition will easily absorb sweat, while the body will breathe, which will make the athlete feel comfortable during long training sessions. Also, the material is wear-resistant, retains its former appearance even with numerous washes and frequent use. The collar of the jacket is V-neck and has a red and black color, which means that this model is designed for children and teenagers. The trousers have an elastic band and drawstring for greater comfort and stability.
Caring for Daedo Poom WTF Style is pretty simple. Machine washable without bleach. Drying in a washing machine or on a battery is not allowed, otherwise the dobok may reduce its size. It is also not recommended to iron this dobok.
The average cost is 2,000 rubles.
A distinctive feature of this children's kimono model is the corrugated structure of the fabric. This feeling is achieved by combining 80% polyester and 20% cotton. Also, such a material will show wear resistance and will facilitate the removal of moisture from the surface of the body to the surface of the material. The athlete during active training will not experience the inconvenience of a wet and sticky body.
The upper part of the form is odorless, made like a long sleeve. Has a V-neck with a red-black or red-white collar. There are small cuts on the sides, which give more opportunity to perform free actions.
Machine wash on delicate cycle at 30 degrees is allowed.
The average cost is 2500 rubles.
This kimono model appeared in 2018 and has gained great popularity among athletes. A special feature of "Khan Extra Light" is the unique weaving of the fabric. Also, this material is lightweight. Lightweight model will create a comfortable environment during the game. Although the fabric is light and thin, but it is resistant to wear, it perfectly tolerates frequent wear and multiple washings. Made from 100% polyester.
The kimono jacket is sewn like a long sleeve and has no smell. It has a V-neck and a black collar, which means that this model is intended for an adult athlete. There is also this model is available with a red collar, which is designed for children and adolescents. The adult version of the Khan Extra Light is suitable for people with a height of 160 to 210 cm.
The average cost is 2,400 rubles.
This helmet is available in three colors: blue, red and white. Such a helmet is made of foamed plastic. Thanks to this, the helmet is lightweight and fits stably on the head. It also shows stability during mechanical stress. When receiving blows, the athlete will have sufficient head protection, since this material absorbs vibration well.
The helmet model has a one-piece shape, there are openings on the temporal and totem parts of the equipment, which provide additional ventilation. There is also a Taiji-shaped vent in the crown area. The ear area has additional reinforced protection in the form of padding that will prevent the fighter from getting a concussion. There is a comfortable Velcro fastener on the chin, thanks to this, the helmet is conveniently fixed.
The average cost is 1900 rubles.
This model of a helmet from the famous brand "Adidas" is available in blue and white. The Adidas Head Guard Dip Foam WT is lightweight because made of polyurethane. During use, it is practically imperceptible, but at the same time it provides good shock protection. The inner part is made of high-tech shock-absorbing foam, thanks to which the helmet fits perfectly on any head shape and does not create discomfort. The product is soft, but the shock-absorbing foam inside the helmet suppresses vibration from impacts. There are ear pads for extra protection. It should also be noted that "Adidas Head Guard Dip Foam WT" is easy to clean from sweat and dirt, as well as disinfect.
The Adidas Head Guard Dip Foam WT comes in 6 sizes. The minimum size is suitable for a head volume of 50-51 cm, and the maximum size is designed for a head volume of 61-64 cm.
The average cost is 3900 rubles.
The new JC forearm protector comes in white and has black Velcro straps for a comfortable fit. This product is suitable for both competition and training. It is made of high quality leatherette, and the inner part is made of dense foam.Thanks to this material, the equipment is comfortable during training and absorbs shocks well, which does not give the possibility of injury. The product is fixed with Velcro fasteners. Available in three sizes.
The average cost is 1,700 rubles.
This remedy has a pleasant white fabric base. Base material - polyurethane. High pressure foam is contained under the base. This material has both strength and lightness, which is required in taekwondo.
The Adidas Shin Pad Protector comes in 5 sizes. The minimum size is suitable for a height of 100-120 cm, and the maximum size is designed for a height of up to 200 cm. The fixation of the product is set with Velcro.
The average cost is 1,700 rubles.
This vest model has a certificate of the World Taekwondo Federation, which allows the product to be used at competitions of any level. In addition, this vest can also be used in training. Due to its ergonomic shape, it does not create discomfort and will not restrict movement.
The vest is reversible, one side is blue and the other is red. The surface is made of high quality artificial leather, filled with light but dense foam. This tool will reliably protect the torso during the fight. It is also worth noting the high strength that can withstand even kicks.
This equipment provides protection for the abdomen, sides, chest. From the back, it is fixed with special tapes. Fixation allows you to conduct an active battle, while the vest will not slip and slide.
The average cost is 2500 rubles.
This vest is suitable for practicing not only taekwondo, but also other martial arts. It protects the abs and chest area.
The surface of the vest is made of artificial leather, has a polyethylene foam filler and a soft layer 3 cm thick. So the athlete will have reliable protection during sparring and will not be injured even with strong blows. Additional protection for the sides and shoulders is also provided.
The vest is secured at the back with nylon straps. The fixation is not only reliable, but also tight, does not hinder movement. During the fight, the athlete will not experience discomfort.
The average cost is 3,500 rubles.
High-quality equipment is essential not only for competitions, but also for training. When choosing a kimono, it is better to choose a length slightly larger than your height. If the material consists only of cotton, then after washing it will shrink strongly, even when properly dried. Therefore, it is better to prefer a blend of polyester and cotton. Protective equipment must be close to the body and practically invisible. Quality and certified products will help you accelerate your path to success.